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NAU shooting suspect released ahead of trial

Posted at 2:30 PM, Apr 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-13 21:56:14-04

Northern Arizona University shooting suspect Steven Jones has been released from custody and is in the Valley awaiting trial.

Coconino County court officials tell ABC15 Jones was let out after a judge ordered a modified release during a Tuesday court hearing. 

Jones is expected to reside with his parents in Maricopa County as he awaits trial on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the October shooting. His next appearance is a case management hearing on August 17, according to court officials. 

Jones' parents previously said they would remove all guns from their home and relocate to Coconino County, if necessary, should a judge agree to release their son.

Jones was allowed out of jail with GPS monitoring, Judge Dan Slayton said Tuesday.

Slayton had rejected a request in February to allow Jones to live with his parents in Maricopa County pending trial. But the judge left open the possibility of home confinement once he had more information on monitoring, access to weapons, potential searches of Jones' parents' home and counseling.

Jones maintains he acted in self-defense when he shot fellow student Colin Brough on the Flagstaff campus on Oct. 9, killing him. Three other students were wounded.